Lebanese politicians fail to agree on new prime minister

March 14 Alliance politicians are expected to hold a second round of talks on Wednesday Leaders of Lebanon's March 8 Alliance and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) have failed to agree on their candidate for prime minister, after the resignation of Najib Mikati, ten days ago. The two groups met at FPM leader Michel Aoun's residence on Monday, but sources told Arabstoday that a firm decision is yet to be made.
The news comes just days after leaders of the March 14 Alliance failed to reach consensus over their prime ministerial candidate.
March 14 Alliance politicians are expected to hold a second round of talks on Wednesday after the return of Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel from Washington and Fouad Siniora from Riyadh.
The meeting between the March 8 Alliance and FPM leaders at Michel Aoun's home on Monday was attended by representatives of the Shiite Amal Movement, a Hezbollah delegation led by Political Assistant of the Secretary-General, Hussein Khalil, and Lebanon's Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil.
The meeting lasted for two hours and the parties did not brief the media after its conclusion.
Sources told Arabstoday that the politicians had failed to reach a compromise on their prime ministerial candidate, adding that Aoun’s insistence on drafting an elections law before choosing a candidate was the main stumbling block.
Sources said that Aoun rejected the proposals to extend the House of Representatives, instead urging his fellow politicians to focus on drafting the country's elections law.
In a related context, sources claimed that the March 8 Alliance ruled out the selection of former PM Najib Mikati for the position of prime minister, due to his stance on certain issues during his first tenure.
Sources added that former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has the backing of Saudi Arabia, even though he is yet to put his name forward.